Fan assembly with snap-on cover

ABSTRACT

An exemplary fan assembly includes a fan and a snap-on cover. The fan includes a bracket and an impeller disposed in the bracket. The cover includes a base body, a number of first clasps extending outwardly from a first side of the base body, a number of retaining clasps extending outwardly from an opposite second side of the base body, and an operation portion connecting the retaining clasps. The base body is disposed on the bracket, the first clasps clasp a first side of the bracket, the retaining portions clasp an opposite second side of the bracket, and the operation portion presses the bracket.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a fan assembly, which includes a fan and a cover that are capable of being easily attached to and detached from each other.

2. Description of Related Art

Among an almost endless variety of heat dissipation devices, one kind of heat dissipation device includes a heat sink and a fan secured to the heat sink. The heat sink has a base and a number of parallel fins. Typically, a bottom surface of the base thermally contacts a heat-generating electronic element mounted on a printed circuit board, and the fins extend upwardly from a top surface of the base. The fins define a number of horizontal air channels therein. The fan is mounted on a side of the heat sink to generate airflow into the air channels of the fins. Thus the heat generated by the heat-generating electronic element is absorbed by the base, is conducted from the base to the fins, and is then dissipated out into the ambient environment by the airflow generated by the fan.

A conventional fan assembly includes a bracket, an impeller fixed in the bracket, and a fan cover disposed over the impeller and secured to the bracket. Conventionally, a bottom edge of the bracket defines a number of first through holes. A number of screws extend through the first through holes and are threaded in the heat sink, thereby securing the bracket to the heat sink. A top edge of the bracket defines a number of second through holes, and the fan cover defines a number third through holes corresponding to the second through holes. A number of screws extend through the second and third through holes, thereby securing the fan cover to the bracket. These screw fixing fastening means may make the assembly and disassembly processes complex.

What is needed, therefore, is a fan assembly which has components that are capable of being easily assembled to and dissembled from each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present fan assembly can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present fan assembly. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a fan assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an inverted view of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary fan assembly includes a fan 10 and a snap-on cover 20 attached to the fan 10.

Referring also to FIGS. 2-3, the fan 10 includes a bracket 110 and an impeller 120 disposed in the bracket 110. The bracket 110 is rectangular shaped, and includes a cylindrical barrel 111, a first engaging plate 112 extending horizontally and outwardly from a top peripheral edge of the barrel 111, and a second engaging plate 113 extending horizontally and outwardly from a bottom peripheral edge of the barrel 111. On the whole, the first and second engaging plates 112, 113 each have a rectangular profile. The first engaging plate 112 includes four first corner portions 1120, and the second engaging plate 113 includes four second corner portions 1130.

The second engaging plate 113 is configured for fixing the fan assembly to a heat sink (not shown). Each of the second corner portions 1130 defines a through hole 1131, and the heat sink defines a number of threaded holes (not shown) corresponding to the through holes 1131 of the second corner portions 1130. A number of screws (not shown) are extended through the through holes 1131 and engaged in the threaded holes of the heat sink, thereby fastening the bracket 10 to the heat sink.

The first engaging plate 112 is configured for securing the cover 20 to the bracket 10. Each first corner portion 1120 and the corresponding second corner portion 1130 are spaced apart from each other. When the cover 20 is assembled to the fan 10, the first and second corner portions 1120, 1130 are subjected to pressure. Accordingly, a number of supporters 114 are provided between the first and second corner portions 1120, 1130. Specifically, each supporter 114 is connected between one first corner portion 1120 and the corresponding second corner portion 1130 to reinforce the first and second corner portions 1120, 1130. In the present embodiment, the supporter 114 is a plate and is arranged between a central portion of a bottom surface of each first corner portion 1120 and a central portion of a top surface of the corresponding second corner portion 1130.

A side surface of the first engaging plate 112, a corresponding side surface of the second engaging plate 113 corresponding to the side surface of the first engaging plate 112, and a side of the barrel 111 cooperatively form a flat resisting surface 115. That is, the bracket 10 has four flat resisting surfaces 115.

The cover 20 includes a base body 21, a number of first clasps 22, a number of retaining portions 23, and an operation portion 24.

The base body 21 includes a number of concentric rings, with the rings disposed in a same plane. The base body 21 has an innermost ring 211, an outermost ring 212, and a number of intermediate rings between the innermost and outermost rings 211, 212. A first connecting portion 213 and a second connecting portion 214 are horizontally attached on the base body 21. The first and second connecting portions 213, 214 are located at two opposite first and second sides of the base body 21, respectively.

For example, the first and second connecting portions 213, 214 are generally V-shaped, and are symmetrically opposite each other. The first connecting portion 213 has a flattened peak, and two legs extending from opposite ends of the peak, respectively. The peak of the first connecting portion 213 is attached to the innermost ring 211. The two legs of the first connecting portion 213 extend from the innermost ring 211 to the outermost ring 212, connecting all of the rings along the way including the innermost ring 211, the intermediate rings and the outermost ring 212. Two first clasps 22 extend outwardly from distal ends of the two legs of the first connecting portion 213, respectively. The second connecting portion 214 has a flattened peak, and two legs extending from opposite ends of the peak, respectively. The peak of the second connecting portion 214 is attached to the innermost ring 211. The two legs of the second connecting portion 214 extend from the innermost ring 211 to the outermost ring 212, connecting all of the rings along the way including the innermost ring 211, the intermediate rings and the outermost ring 212. Two retaining portions 23 extend outwardly from distal ends of the two legs of the second connecting portion 214, respectively. Free ends of the two retaining portions 23 are interconnected by the operation portion 24.

In detail, each first clasp 22 extends outwardly from the distal end of the corresponding leg of the first connecting portion 213, and then extends downwardly and inwardly sequentially to form a U-shaped first clasp 22. An opening of each first clasp 22 faces the base body 21. Each retaining portion 23 extends outwardly from the distal end of the corresponding leg of the second connecting portion 214, and then extends downwardly and inwardly sequentially to form a U-shaped retaining portion 23. An opening of each retaining portion 23 faces the base body 21. That is, the opening of each retaining portion 23 faces the opening of a corresponding first clasp 22. The two first clasps 22 are configured for clasping two ends of a first side (i.e., a front side) of the first engaging plate 112. The two retaining portion 23 are configured for clasping two ends of a second side (i.e., a rear side) of the first engaging plate 112, the second side being opposite to the first side. In this way, the cover 20 is secured to the fan 10. It is understood that the number of first and second connecting portions 213, 214, the number of first clasps 22, and/or the number of retaining portions 23 can be varied, so long as the first clasps 22 and the retaining portions 23 cooperatively clasp the fan 10.

In the present embodiment, the operation portion 24 is a generally U-shaped structure, which includes a pressing section 241 and two connecting sections 242 extending perpendicularly from two opposite ends of the pressing section 241, respectively. Two ends of the two connecting sections 242 are integrally connected to the two retaining portions 23, respectively.

In order to further reinforce engagement of the cover 20 and the bracket 110 of the fan 10, a number of second clasps 25 are provided. In the present embodiment, there are two second clasps 25, which are disposed between the pair of first clasps 22 and the pair of retaining portions 23. In the present embodiment, the two second clasps 25 are attached to opposite portions of the outermost ring 212. Each second clasp 25 is in the form of a generally U-shaped metallic rod, and defines a generally L-shaped configuration. In particular, each second clasp 25 includes two parallel straight portions 251 horizontally attached to the outermost ring 212, and a U-shaped extension portion 252 extending downwardly from and interconnecting ends of the straight portions 251. The second clasps 25 can thus clasp the bracket 110 of the fan 10. It is understood that the shape of the second clasps 25 is not limited to that described and illustrated. Other shapes can be employed, so long as the second clasps 25 can clasp the bracket 110 of the fan 10.

The first clasps 22, the retaining portions 23, the operation portion 24 and the second clasps 25 can be made of a hard but resiliently flexible material such as certain plastics, metal, and so on. In the present embodiment, the cover 20 is made of a metallic material. The first and second connecting portions 213, 214, and the second clasps 25 are welded on the base body 21.

In assembling the cover 20 to the fan 10, the base body 21 is disposed on the top edge of the barrel 111 and covers the impeller 120. The clasps 22 clasp the first side of the first engaging plate 112 of the bracket 110 of the fan 10. The operation portion 24 is deformably pulled away from the second side of the first engaging plate 112 and then pulled down, to enable the retaining portions 23 to ride over and then clasp the second side of the first engaging plate 112. Then the operation portion 24 is released and elastically rebounds inwardly such that the pressing section 241 presses a lower portion of the resisting surface 115 near the second engaging plate 113. It is understood that a position where the pressing section 241 of the operation portion 24 presses can be varied according to practical requirements.

In an alternative embodiment, the flattened peak of each of the first and second connecting portions 213, 214 can be omitted. That is, the first and second connecting portions 213, 214 are two separate straight rods. The first connecting portions 213 are attached on the first side of the base body 21, and the second connecting portions 214 are attached on the opposite second side of the base body 21. The first clasps 22 extend frontward from outer ends of the straight first connecting portions 213, respectively. The retaining portions 23 extend backward from outer ends of the straight second connecting portions 214, respectively. Free ends of the retaining portions 23 are interconnected by the operation portion 24.

It is understood that the configurations of the base body 21, the first connecting portions 213, and the second connecting portions 214 can (otherwise) be varied, and the shapes of the first clasps 22, the retaining portions 23, the operation portion 24 and the second clasps 25 can be varied, so long as the first clasps 22 can clasp the front side of the first engaging plate 112, and so long as the operation portion 24 can be deformably pulled away from the rear side of the first engaging plate 112 to enable the retaining portions 23 to clasp the rear side of the first engaging plate 112.

Unlike with a conventional fan assembly, the cover 20 itself has fastening structures such as the first clasps 22, the retaining portions 23 and the operation portion 24. Accordingly, extra separate fasteners such as screws are not needed, thereby simplifying the assembling and disassembling processes of the fan assembly.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the configurations and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A fan assembly comprising: a fan comprising a bracket and an impeller disposed in the bracket; and a cover comprising a base body, a plurality of first clasps extending outwardly from a first side of the base body, a plurality of retaining clasps extending outwardly from an opposite second side of the base body, and an operation portion interconnecting the retaining clasps; wherein the base body is disposed on the bracket, the first clasps clasp a first side of the bracket, the retaining portions clasp an opposite second side of the bracket, and the operation portion resiliently presses the bracket.
 2. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a barrel, a first engaging plate extending horizontally and outwardly from a top edge of the barrel, and a second engaging plate extending horizontally and outwardly from a bottom edge of the barrel, the first clasps clasp a first side of the first engaging plate of the bracket, the retaining portions clasp an opposite second side of the first engaging plate of the bracket, and the operation portion presses a side of the barrel near the second engaging plate of the bracket.
 3. The fan assembly of claim 2, wherein the base body comprises an innermost ring, an outermost ring and an intermediate ring between the innermost ring and the outermost ring.
 4. The fan assembly of claim 3, wherein the cover comprises a generally V-shaped first connecting portion having a peak and two legs, the peak of the first connecting portion is attached to the innermost ring, and the two legs of the first connecting portion extend from the innermost ring to the outermost ring, connecting all of the rings along the way including the innermost ring, the intermediate ring and the outermost ring.
 5. The fan assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality of first clasps comprises two U-shaped first clasps, which extend outwardly and downwardly from ends of the two legs of the first connecting portion, respectively, and an opening of each of the two first clasps faces toward the base body.
 6. The fan assembly of claim 4, wherein the cover further comprises a generally V-shaped second connecting portion positioned opposite to the V-shaped first connecting portion, the second connecting portion has a peak and two legs, the peak of the second connecting portion is attached to the innermost ring, and the two legs of the second connecting portion extend from the innermost ring to the outermost ring, connecting all of the rings along the way including the innermost ring, the intermediate ring and the outermost ring.
 7. The fan assembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of retaining portions comprises two U-shaped retaining portions, which extend outwardly and downwardly from ends of the two legs of the second connecting portion, respectively, and an opening of each of the two retaining portions faces toward the base body.
 8. The fan assembly of claim 7, wherein the operation portion is generally U-shaped and comprises two connecting sections extending outwardly from the two retaining portions, and a pressing section interconnecting two ends of the two connecting sections, and the pressing section presses the side of the barrel near the second engaging plate of the bracket.
 9. The fan assembly of claim 3, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of second clasps each disposed between the group of first clasps and the group of retaining portions.
 10. The fan assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the second clasps comprises two parallel straight portions horizontally attached to the outermost ring, and a generally U-shaped extension portion extending downwardly from free ends of the two parallel straight portions.
 11. A fan assembly comprising: a fan comprising a bracket and an impeller disposed in the bracket; and a cover comprising: a plurality of concentric rings; a plurality of first connecting portions located on a first side of the concentric rings and welded on the concentric rings; a plurality of second connecting portions located on an opposite second side of the concentric rings and welded on the concentric rings; a plurality of first clasps extending outwardly from outer ends of the first connecting portions, respectively; a plurality of retaining portions extending outwardly from outer ends of the second connecting portions, respectively; and an operation portion interconnecting the outer ends of the retaining portions; wherein the base body overlies the impeller, the first clasps clasp a first side of the bracket, the retaining portions clasp an opposite second side of the bracket, and the operation portion elastically presses the bracket.
 12. The fan assembly of claim 11, wherein the bracket comprises a barrel, a first engaging plate extending horizontally and outwardly from a top edge of the barrel, and a second engaging plate extending horizontally and outwardly from a bottom edge of the barrel, the first clasps clasp a first side of the first engaging plate of the bracket, the retaining portions clasp an opposite second side of the first engaging plate of the bracket, and the operation portion presses a side of the barrel near the second engaging plate of the bracket.
 13. The fan assembly of claim 11, wherein the first connecting portions and the second connect portions each extend from an innermost one of the concentric rings to an outermost one of the concentric rings.
 14. The fan assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the first clasps is generally U-shaped and extends outwardly and downwardly from the outer ends of the corresponding first connecting portions, and an opening of each of the first clasps faces toward the concentric rings.
 15. The fan assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the retaining portions is generally U-shaped and extends outwardly and downwardly from the outer ends of the corresponding second connecting portions, and an opening of each of the retaining portions faces toward the concentric rings.
 16. The fan assembly of claim 12, wherein the operation portion is generally U-shaped and comprises two connecting sections extending outwardly from the two retaining portions, and a pressing section interconnecting two ends of the two connecting sections, and the pressing section presses the side of the barrel near the second engaging plate of the bracket.
 17. A fan assembly comprising: a fan comprising a bracket and an impeller disposed in the bracket; and a cover comprising a base body, a plurality of first clasps extending outwardly from a first side of the base body, a plurality of retaining clasps extending outwardly from an opposite second side of the base body, and an operation portion interconnecting the retaining clasps; wherein the first clasps clasp a first side of the bracket, and the retaining portions are snapped onto an opposite second side of the bracket such that the operation portion resiliently presses the bracket.
 18. The fan assembly of claim 17, wherein the base body comprises an innermost ring, an outermost ring, a plurality of intermediate rings between the innermost ring and the outermost ring, and a plurality of connecting portions welded on the base body and extended along the way including the innermost ring, the intermediate rings and the outermost ring.
 19. The fan assembly of claim 18, wherein the plurality of first clasps are generally U-shaped and extend outwardly and downwardly from a first end of the connecting portions, and an opening of each of the first clasps faces the base body.
 20. The fan assembly of claim 18, wherein the plurality of retaining portions are generally U-shaped and extend outwardly and downwardly from an opposite second end of the connecting portions, and an opening of each of the retaining portions faces the base body. 